What Happened?

On Election Day, Colorado supported their first Democratic candidate since 1964, awarding Barack Obama its nine electoral votes. The question is, how and why did this state turn blue?

First, in a break down of votes by county, Obama carried most of the state's most central and populous areas including Larimer, Boulder, Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe, and Clear Creek. These counties not only contain Colorado's most metropolitan areas including Denver, Lakewood, and Aurora, they also house Colorado's most prominent universities and colleges. In addition to these counties, Obama also carried many of the counties along the Colorado-New Mexico border, a state that also went for Obama.

In contrast, John McCain carried most of the state's rural counties in both east and west Colorado. While by number of counties, McCain outnumbered Obama, the counties he carried were far less dense in population.

Secondly, looking at the exit polls, Obama also carried the largest demographic groups in Colorado. The vote by sex showed men voting 49% for Obama and 50% for McCain; however, women voted for Obama 56% to McCain's 41%. As for the Hispanic vote, Obama received 61% to McCain's 38%.

Finally, of voters basing their decision on the economy, 56% supported Obama while only 42% supported McCain. For these reason, Obama was able to turn the state soundly blue.

Colorado Called for Obama

CNN called Colorado for Barack Obama at 10:13 p.m. central, shortly after there projection of Obama to be the overall winner of the presidential election.

McCain in Colorado Today

John McCain will make one last stop in the Centennial State today. He will speak to supporters on the tarmac of the Grand Junction Airport. "America is worth fighting for. Nothing is inevitable here," said McCain (Assiciated Press).

This will be his final effort to keep the state red before the polls close this evening.

One Day to Go!!!

The latest polling combined with Obama's unprecedented ground game in Colorado leads me to believe that when the polls close tomorrow, Colorado will have gone blue, supporting their first Democratic presidential nominee since 1964's Lyndon B. Johnson.

Along with Obama's win, Mark Udall will also take the Senate race for the Democrats as well.

Obama Makes a Last Stop in Colorado Before Election Day

In Obama's final visit to Colorado before Election Day, he and wife Michelle urged supporters to continue their Get-Out-the-Vote efforts.

The prevalence of advance voting in Colorado, over 56% of voter's in the state have already cast their ballots, made for a different atmosphere at the rally. With the campaign aware the most of the crowd had already voted, Obama Several asked supporters to turn their sights now to people who haven't yet cast their ballots. "We can't afford to sit back or slow down. We've got to win Colorado," said Obama (CBS Channel 4 Denver).

Obama also poked fun at Vice President Dick Cheney's endorsement of McCain given earlier that day in Wyoming.

"President Bush is sitting out the last few days before the election. But earlier today, Dick Cheney came out of his undisclosed location and hit the campaign trail. He said that he is, and I quote, 'delighted to support John McCain,' " Obama said. "I'd like to congratulate Sen. McCain on this endorsement because he really earned it. That endorsement didn't come easy. Sen. McCain had to vote 90 percent of the time with George Bush and Dick Cheney to get it" (The Denver Post).

Watch coverage of the event below:

Latest Colorado Poll Averages

Obama: 51.6%
McCain: 44.5%

Mitt Romney to Campaign For McCain

Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts will campaign on behalf of John McCain this afternoon in Colorado. He will hold events in Colorado Springs and the Denver suburb of Greenwood Village reports the Boston Herald.

Romney was the Republican favorite in Colorado during the primaries. Hopefully, his former popularity will still resonate with Republicans in the state.